Filling ports for insulated structures incorporated within an appliance

ABSTRACT

An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that form a structural cabinet having an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An elliptical insulation port is defined within the outer wrapper, wherein the elliptical insulation port is configured to allow passage of a cylindrical insulation conduit when the insulation conduit is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the structural cabinet. An insulation material is disposed within the insulating cavity. A sealing cap covers the elliptical insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes a protrusion that extends at least partially into the insulating cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/637,570 filed Feb. 7, 2020, entitled FILLING PORTS FORINSULATED STRUCTURES INCORPORATED WITHIN AN APPLIANCE, which is anational stage of International Application No. PCT/US2017/055355 filedOct. 5, 2017, entitled FILLING PORTS FOR INSULATED STRUCTURESINCORPORATED WITHIN AN APPLIANCE, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DEVICE

The device is in the field of insulating structures used in appliances,and more specifically, filling ports that are incorporated within anappliance structure for disposing insulation material therein andsealing the structure to form an insulated appliance structure.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, an appliance includes an outer wrapper and aninner liner that form a structural cabinet having an insulating cavitydefined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An ellipticalinsulation port is defined within the outer wrapper, wherein theelliptical insulation port is configured to allow passage of acylindrical insulation conduit when the insulation conduit is positionedat an oblique angle relative to the structural cabinet. An insulationmaterial is disposed within the insulating cavity. A sealing cap coversthe elliptical insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes aprotrusion that extends at least partially into the insulating cavity.

In at least another aspect, an insulated structure for an applianceincludes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that define an insulatingcavity therebetween, wherein an insulation port is defined within theouter wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within the insulatingcavity, wherein the insulation material is disposed within theinsulating cavity via the insulation port. A sealing cap covers theinsulation port. The sealing cap includes a protrusion that extends atleast partially through the insulation port. A hinge bracket is disposedon the outer wrapper and conceals the sealing cap. The hinge bracket isconfigured to receive a hinge for rotationally operating a door panelrelative to the outer wrapper.

In at least another aspect, a method for forming an insulated structureincludes disposing an outer structure at an angle with respect to aninsulation conduit. The insulation conduit is positioned through aninsulation port defined within the outer structure. The insulationconduit is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the insulationport. An insulation material is disposed into an insulating cavity ofthe outer structure via the insulation conduit. Gravity feeds theinsulation material throughout the insulating cavity. A sealing cap isdisposed into the insulation port. The sealing cap is sealed into theinsulation port to define a sealed insulating structure.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present devicewill be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the artupon studying the following specification, claims, and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerating applianceincorporating an aspect of a filling port system for disposing aninsulation material within the insulating cabinet;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a back surface of a structuralcabinet for an appliance and showing the filling ports disposed withinthe structural cabinet;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a structural cabinet disposed at anangle and showing deposition of an insulation material within thestructural cabinet;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an outer wrapper showing attachmentof a sealing cap into an insulating port for sealing an insulatingcavity for the appliance structure;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the outer wrapper of FIG. 4 showingthe sealing cap connected to the outer wrapper at the insulation port;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the outer wrapper of FIG. 4 takenalong line VI-VI and showing the sealing cap being disposed into theinsulation port;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an outer wrapper showing an aspectof the insulation port with the sealing cap disposed therein;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a structural cabinet taken at aninsulation port and showing a sealing cap that includes an integralvacuum port for expressing gas from within the insulating cavity;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum port of FIG. 8 andshowing a cap disposed within the vacuum port;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum port of FIG. 8 andshowing a plug disposed therein for sealing the vacuum port;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a door panel for an appliance andshowing upper and lower hinge receptacles that incorporate an aspect ofthe insulation port defined therein;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the insulation port ofFIG. 11 and showing the sealing cap and vacuum port disposed therein;

FIG. 13 is an interior perspective view of an outer wrapper for anappliance and showing the reinforcing member disposed proximate thehinge receptacle; and

FIG. 14 is a linear flow diagram illustrating a method for forming aninsulating structure using an elliptical insulation port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it isto be understood that the device may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

With respect to FIGS. 1-6, reference numeral 10 generally refers to anouter structure that is used in an appliance 12. According to variousaspects of the device, the outer structure 10 can be in the form of anoperable panel 14, such as a door panel 16 or drawer panel 18. The outerstructure 10 can also be in the form of a structural cabinet 20 to whichone or more operable panels 14 can be connected. The appliance 12 caninclude an outer structure 10 having an outer wrapper 22 and an innerliner 24 that cooperate to form the outer structure 10. The outerstructure 10 includes an insulating cavity 26 defined between the innerliner 24 and the outer wrapper 22. An insulation port 28 and, typically,an elliptical insulation port, is defined within the outer wrapper 22.The insulation port 28 is configured to allow passage of an insulationconduit 30 when the insulation conduit 30 is positioned at an obliqueangle 32 relative to the structural cabinet 20. Typically, theinsulation conduit 30 will include a generally cylindrical conduit ortube. In this manner, the insulation conduit 30 engages and extends atleast partially through the insulation port 28. Because the insulationconduit 30 is positioned at an oblique angle 32, the elliptical aperture34 of the insulation port 28 is configured such that the insulationconduit 30 extends through the insulation port 28 at the oblique angle32 and defines a close engagement between the exterior surface 42 of theinsulation conduit 30 and the elliptical aperture 34 of the insulationport 28. An insulation material 36 is disposed within the insulatingcavity 26, wherein the insulation material 36 is delivered to theinsulating cavity 26 via the insulation conduit 30 passing theinsulation material 36 through the insulation port 28. A sealing cap 38is attached to the outer wrapper 22 at the insulation port 28. In thismanner, the sealing cap 38 covers and at least partially conceals theinsulation port 28. The sealing cap 38 includes a protrusion 40 thatextends at least partially into the insulating cavity 26 via theinsulation port 28.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the protrusion 40 of the sealing cap 38 isconfigured to extend through the insulation port 28 and at leastpartially engage the insulation material 36 disposed within theinsulating cavity 26. When the insulation material 36 is disposed withinthe insulating cavity 26, the insulation material 36 is positioned tocompletely fill the insulating cavity 26, and in certain configurations,overflow the insulating cavity 26 so that the insulation material 36extends at least partially outside of the insulation port 28. In thisconfiguration, when the sealing cap 38 is disposed within the insulationport 28, the protrusion 40 engages the insulation material 36 and exertsa compressive force 50 against the insulation material 36. Thiscompressive force 50 serves to extract at least a portion of the gas 52,such as air, within the insulating cavity 26 that can define an at leastpartial vacuum 54 within the insulating cavity 26.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4-6, the sealing cap 38 typically includes anouter flange 60 that engages an outer surface 62 of the outer wrapper 22proximate the insulation port 28. The protrusion 40 extends outward fromthe outer flange 60. In this manner, when the outer flange 60 engagesthe outer wrapper 22, the protrusions 40 extend through the insulationport 28 and into the insulating cavity 26 to provide the compressiveforce 50 against the insulation material 36. Where the insulation port28 is generally elliptical in shape, the outer flange 60 can besubstantially circular and the protrusion 40 can have an ellipticalcross section that substantially matches the shape of the ellipticalaperture 34 of the insulation port 28.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in various aspects of the device, theinsulation port 28 can be defined by a perimetrical flange 70 thatextends perpendicularly from the elliptical aperture 34 defined withinthe outer wrapper 22. In such an embodiment, an inner surface 72 of theperimetrical flange 70 is adapted to receive the sealing cap 38.Typically, the perimetrical flange 70 extends away from the insulatingcavity 26. It should be understood that the perimetrical flange 70 canalso be configured to extend into the insulating cavity 26. In eitherconfiguration, the sealing cap 38 is adapted to seal the insulatingcavity 26. In various aspects of the device, the sealing cap 38 isadapted to exert the compressive force 50 against the insulationmaterial 36.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, the use of the elliptical insulation port28 allows for convenient deposition of the insulation material 36through the cylindrical insulation conduit 30 when the outer structure10 is disposed at the oblique angle 32 with respect to the insulationconduit 30. As the insulation material 36 is moved through theinsulation conduit 30 in a generally vertical and downward direction 80,the insulation material 36 enters the insulating cavity 26 of the outerstructure 10. Because the outer structure 10 is disposed at an obliqueangle 32, the insulation material 36 disposed therein tends to flowdownward according to the force of gravity. The positioning of the outerstructure 10 at the oblique angle 32 is used in cooperation with thepositioning of the one or more elliptical insulation ports 28 along atop edge 82 and typically a top corner 84 of the outer wrapper 22 forthe outer structure 10. Accordingly, the oblique angle 32 of the outerstructure 10 allows the insulation material 36 to flow downward andsubstantially occupy the entire insulating cavity 26. According tovarious aspects of the device, additional mechanisms can be used to movethe insulation material 36 through the entire insulating cavity 26. Suchmechanisms can include, but are not limited to, vibrating the outerstructure 10, blowing air within the insulating cavity 26, physicalcompaction, liquid compaction, combinations thereof, and other similarinsulation delivery processes and mechanisms.

After the insulation material 36 is disposed throughout the entireinsulating cavity 26, the sealing cap 38 is coupled with the outerwrapper 22 proximate the insulation port 28. The sealing cap 38 can beengaged to the outer wrapper 22 using various mechanisms that caninclude, but are not limited to, adhesives 90, welding, mechanicalfasteners, combinations thereof, and other similar attaching mechanisms.Typically, an adhesive 90 is used to attach the sealing cap 38 to theouter wrapper 22, wherein the adhesive 90 can form a substantiallyair-tight seal 92 between the sealing cap 38 and the outer wrapper 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, the sealing cap 38 can include an integralvacuum port 100 that extends through the sealing cap 38. In such anembodiment, the vacuum port 100 can be used to express gas 52 from theinsulating cavity 26. After the desired amount of gas 52 has beenexpressed from the insulating cavity 26, the vacuum port 100 that isintegrally formed within the sealing cap 38 can be sealed to define anat least partial vacuum 54 within the insulating cavity 26. In variousaspects of the device, the vacuum port 100 can be sealed by crimping thevacuum tube 106. The vacuum port 100 can also be sealed by using an endcap 102, a plug 104 or through various crimping processes capable offorming a substantially air-tight seal 92 at the vacuum port 100. Thissubstantially air-tight seal 92 serves to prevent or substantiallyprevent gas 52 from infiltrating into the insulating cavity 26 anddegrading the at least partial vacuum 54 defined therein.

Typically, the vacuum port 100 will extend through a central portion ofthe sealing cap 38. In this manner, the vacuum tube 106 will extendthrough each of the outer flange 60 and the protrusion 40. During theexpression of gas 52 from the insulating cavity 26 through the vacuumport 100, a filter 108 can be disposed at the end of the vacuum port 100proximate the protrusion 40. This filter 108 can be used to limit themovement of the insulation material 36 into the vacuum port 100. Invarious aspects of the device, one or more desiccants 110 can be used toabsorb residual humidity and/or moisture that may be present within theinsulating cavity 26. Additionally, one or more getters 112 can be usedto remove residual gas 52 that may be present within or near the vacuumport 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-13, the insulation port 28 and sealing cap 38can cooperate to define a hinge receptacle 120. According to variousaspects of the device, the hinge receptacle 120 can be recessed withinthe outer wrapper 22. In such an embodiment, the hinge receptacle 120can be a recess 122 that is adapted to receive a hinge bracket 124 thatmay include a hinge 126 or may attach to a hinge 126 for operating adoor panel 16 relative to a structural cabinet 20 for an appliance 12.According to various aspects of the device, a reinforcing member 128 canbe disposed on an interior surface 130 of the outer wrapper 22, wherethe reinforcing member 128 is attached proximate the insulation port 28and serves to reinforce the outer wrapper 22 at the hinge receptacle120.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-13, an insulated structure that can be usedwithin an appliance 12 typically includes an outer wrapper 22 and aninner liner 24 that define an insulating cavity 26 therebetween. Aninsulation port 28 is defined within the outer wrapper 22. The innerliner 24 and outer wrapper 22 can be made of various materials,typically the inner liner 24 and outer wrapper 22 can be made of metalthat is adhered and/or welded together. In various aspects of thedevice, the outer wrapper 22 can be metal and the inner liner 24 can bea plastic or other similar plastic-type material. An insulation material36 is disposed within the insulating cavity 26. The insulation material36 is disposed within the insulating cavity 26 via the insulation port28 defined within the outer wrapper 22.

As discussed previously, the insulation port 28 is typically in the formof an elliptical insulation port 28 that can receive a cylindricalinsulation conduit 30 that is positioned in a vertical orientation whenthe inner liner 24 and outer wrapper 22 are disposed at the obliqueangle 32 with respect to the cylindrical insulation conduit 30. Whilethe insulation port 28 is described herein as being elliptical, theinsulation port 28 can be defined by various shapes and configurations.These shapes and configurations of the insulation port 28 can include,but are not limited to, oval, rectilinear, polygonal, circular, arcuate,irregular, combinations thereof and other similar shapes that are ableto receive the insulation conduit 30 at the oblique angle 32 as well asthe sealing cap 38. Additionally, while the shape of the insulationconduit 30 is described as being cylindrical, the insulation conduit 30can be defined by various shapes and configurations similar to thosedescribed above with respect to the insulation port 28. According to thevarious embodiments, the insulation port 28 and the insulation conduit30 are configured to allow for deposition of the insulation material 36into the insulating cavity 26 when the insulation conduit 30 and theouter structure 10 are positioned at an oblique angle 32 relative to oneanother.

The insulation material 36 can be any one of various insulatingcomponents that can include, but are not limited to, an insulatingpowder, insulating foam, granular insulation, microspheres, nanospheres,silica-based material, various ash-based material, combinations thereofand other similar insulating components.

A sealing cap 38 is attached to the outer wrapper 22 and covers theinsulation port 28. The sealing cap 38 includes the protrusion 40 thatextends at least partially into the insulating cavity 26 and applies acompressive force 50 to the insulation material 36 therein. A hingebracket 124 is disposed on the outer wrapper 22 and at leastsubstantially conceals, or at least partially conceals, the sealing cap38 and the insulation port 28. The hinge bracket 124 is configured toreceive a hinge 126 for rotationally operating a door panel 16 relativeto the insulated structure. As discussed previously, the insulatedstructure can be in the form of a door panel 16 that is rotationallyoperable relative to a structural cabinet 20. In various aspects, theinsulated structure can also be a structural cabinet 20 that receives arotationally operable door panel 16.

Referring again to FIGS. 8-13, the insulation port 28 can define a portrecess 122 within the outer wrapper 22. When the sealing cap 38 is usedto seal the insulating cavity 26, the sealing cap 38 is disposed withinthe port recess 122 to define a substantially air-tight seal 92. Thesealing cap 38 can include a vacuum port 100 that extends through thesealing cap 38. In such an embodiment, the vacuum port 100 is sealed todefine an at least partial vacuum 54 within the insulating cavity 26.During the expression of gas 52 from the insulating cavity 26 as theinsulated structure is being manufactured, various filters, getters 112,and desiccants 110 can be incorporated proximate the protrusion 40 ofthe sealing cap 38 or proximate the end of the vacuum port 100 forassisting the expression of gas 52 from the insulating cavity 26. Thefilter 108 can prevent the movement of the insulation material 36 intoand through the vacuum port 100. The getters 112 and desiccants 110 areused, typically, to remove residual gas 52 and moisture that may bepresent within the insulating cavity 26. To maintain the at leastpartial vacuum 54 within the insulating cavity 26, the vacuum port 100can be sealed via a plug 104, end cap 102, or through various crimpingprocesses that create a substantially air-tight seal 92 within thevacuum port 100.

The insulation port 28 can include a cut-out or other aperture definedwithin the outer wrapper 22. It is also contemplated that the insulationport 28 can include a perimetrical flange 70 that extendsperpendicularly from the elliptical aperture 34 defined within the outerwrapper 22. In such an embodiment, an inner surface 72 of theperimetrical flange 70 receives the sealing cap 38. Additionally, wherea perimetrical flange 70 is used, the sealing cap 38 can be welded tothe outer wrapper 22 at the elliptical aperture 34 and the perimetricalflange 70.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-14, having described various aspects of thesystem for depositing an insulation material 36 within an insulatedstructure, a method 400 is disclosed for forming an insulated structure.According to various aspects of the device, the method 400 can include astep 402 of disposing an outer structure 10 at an angle with respect toa substantially cylindrical insulation conduit 30. Typically, the outerstructure 10 is disposed at the oblique angle 32, such that it is tiltedwith respect to a vertically positioned insulation conduit 30. Theinsulation conduit 30 is then positioned through an ellipticalinsulation port 28 defined within the outer structure 10 (step 404). Theinsulation conduit 30 is positioned at the oblique angle 32 with respectto the elliptical insulation port 28. In this manner, the cylindricalshape of the insulation conduit 30 matches the shape of the ellipticalinsulation port 28 that is positioned at the oblique angle 32 anddefined within the outer structure 10. Because the insulation conduit 30engages and, in various aspects, passes through the ellipticalinsulation port 28, the elliptical shape of the insulation port 28, whenat the oblique angle 32, substantially conforms to the exterior surface42 of the cylindrical insulation conduit 30.

The insulation material 36 is then disposed into the insulating cavity26 of the outer structure 10 via the insulation conduit 30 (step 406).The insulation material 36 is then gravity-fed throughout the insulatingcavity 26 (step 408). As discussed previously, because the outerstructure 10 is positioned at the oblique angle 32, the insulationmaterial 36 is allowed to flow according to the force of gravitythroughout substantially the entire insulating cavity 26. Whenpositioned at the oblique angle 32, the interior surface 130 of theouter structure 10 typically includes very few, if any, horizontalsurfaces that might prevent the insulation material 36 from flowingthroughout the insulating cavity 26.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-14, once the insulation material 36 isdisposed throughout the insulating cavity 26, a sealing cap 38 isdisposed onto the elliptical insulation port 28 (step 410). The sealingcap 38 is then sealed into the elliptical insulation port 28 and againstthe outer wrapper 22 to define a sealed insulating structure (step 412).This sealed structure defines an insulating cabinet.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-14, according to various aspects of thedevice, when the sealing cap 38 is attached to the outer wrapper 22, theprotrusion 40 enters through the insulation port 28 and applies acompressive force 50 against the insulation material 36 disposedtherein. This compressive force 50 can serve to express a minimal amountof gas 52 from the insulating cavity 26 that can be used to define an atleast partial vacuum 54 within the insulating cavity 26. Typically,where an at least partial vacuum 54 is desired within the insulatingcavity 26, gas 52 is drawn or otherwise expressed or expelled from theinsulating cavity 26 through a vacuum port 100 defined within thesealing cap 38 (step 414). The vacuum port 100, after the gas 52 issufficiently expelled, is sealed to define an at least partial vacuum 54in the insulating cavity 26 (step 416).

Referring again to FIGS. 1-14, in various aspects of the device, theinsulation port 28 and sealing cap 38 can cooperatively define a hingereceptacle 120. This hinge receptacle 120 is adapted to receive a hingebracket 124 that is positioned over the sealing cap 38 (step 418). Insuch an embodiment, the hinge bracket 124 serves to at least partiallyconceal the sealing cap 38 and the elliptical insulation port 28 fromview.

According to various aspects of the device, as exemplified in FIG. 3,during the deposition of the insulation material 36 within theinsulating cavity 26, the outer structure 10 can be disposed at anoblique angle 32 to allow for the movement of the insulation material 36throughout the insulating cavity 26. Typically, the oblique angle 32 isconfigured to be approximately equal to or greater than an angle ofrepose for the insulation material 36. Accordingly, the oblique angle 32allows for the gravitational flow of the insulation material 36 throughthe insulating cavity 26.

According to various aspects of the device, the outer structure 10having the elliptical insulation port 28 can be incorporated within thevarious appliances 12. These appliances 12 can include, but are notlimited to, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, hotwater heaters, coolers, combinations thereof, and other similarappliances 12 that may include an insulating structure and/or aninsulated panel.

The outer structure 10 having the elliptical insulation port 28described herein can be used to form various insulated structures thatcan be used within appliances 12. These insulated structures can includestructural cabinets 20, door panels 16, drawer panels 18 and can alsoinclude insulated panels that can be disposed within a separateinsulating system for a particular appliance 12.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described device and other components is not limitedto any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devicedisclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unlessdescribed otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present device. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understoodthat such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claimsunless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodimentsonly. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the artand to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merelyfor illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of thedevice, which is defined by the following claims as interpretedaccording to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insulated structure for an appliancecomprising: an outer wrapper and an inner liner that cooperatively forman insulating cavity therebetween; an insulation port defined within theouter wrapper, wherein the insulation port is configured to allowpassage of an insulation-delivering conduit; an insulation material thatis disposed within the insulating cavity; a sealing cap that covers theinsulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes a protrusion thatextends at least partially into the insulating cavity, wherein theinsulation port and the sealing cap cooperate to define a hingereceptacle; and a hinge bracket that is attached to the hingereceptacle, wherein the hinge bracket conceals the sealing cap and theinsulation port from view.
 2. The insulated structure of claim 1,wherein the insulation port includes a reinforcing member thatreinforces the outer wrapper at the hinge bracket.
 3. The insulatedstructure of claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member is disposed on aninterior surface of the outer wrapper.
 4. The insulated structure ofclaim 1, wherein the insulation port is elliptical in shape and isconfigured to allow passage of the insulation-delivering conduit whenthe insulation-delivering conduit is positioned at an oblique anglerelative to the outer wrapper, wherein the insulation-delivering conduitis cylindrical in shape.
 5. The insulated structure of claim 1, whereinthe insulation port is defined by a perimetrical flange that extendsperpendicularly from an aperture defined within the outer wrapper,wherein an inner surface of the perimetrical flange receives the sealingcap.
 6. The insulated structure of claim 5, wherein the perimetricalflange extends away from the insulating cavity.
 7. The insulatedstructure of claim 1, wherein the sealing cap includes a vacuum portthat extends through the sealing cap, wherein the vacuum port is sealedto define an at least partial vacuum within the insulating cavity. 8.The insulated structure of claim 7, wherein the vacuum port of thesealing cap is crimped to define a substantially air-tight seal.
 9. Theinsulated structure of claim 1, wherein the insulation port includes areinforcing member that reinforces the outer wrapper at the hingebracket.
 10. The insulated structure of claim 9, wherein the reinforcingmember is disposed on an interior surface of the outer wrapper.
 11. Aninsulated structure comprising: an outer wrapper and an inner liner thatdefine an insulating cavity therebetween, wherein an insulation port isdefined within the outer wrapper; an insulation material that isdisposed within the insulating cavity, wherein the insulation materialis disposed within the insulating cavity via the insulation port,wherein the insulation port includes an aperture defined within theouter wrapper, wherein the aperture is configured to allow passage of aninsulation conduit; a sealing cap that covers the insulation port,wherein the sealing cap includes a protrusion that extends at leastpartially through the insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includesa vacuum port that extends through the sealing cap, wherein the vacuumport is sealed to define an at least partial vacuum within theinsulating cavity; and a hinge bracket that is disposed on the outerwrapper and conceals the sealing cap and the vacuum port, wherein thehinge bracket is configured to receive a portion of a hinge.
 12. Theinsulated structure of claim 11, wherein the sealing cap includes aprotrusion that extends at least partially into the insulating cavity.13. The insulated structure of claim 11, wherein the outer wrapper andthe inner liner define a rotationally operable door panel and the hingebracket receives the portion of the hinge that is attached to astructural cabinet.
 14. The insulated structure of claim 11, wherein theouter wrapper and the inner liner define a structural cabinet, andwherein the hinge bracket includes the portion of the hinge that extendsto a rotationally operable door panel.
 15. The insulated structure ofclaim 11, wherein the insulation port defines a port recess within theouter wrapper and the sealing cap is disposed within the port recess.16. The insulated structure of claim 11, wherein the insulation portincludes a reinforcing member that reinforces the outer wrapper at thehinge bracket, and wherein the reinforcing member is disposed on aninterior surface of the outer wrapper.
 17. The insulated structure ofclaim 11, wherein the insulation port is elliptical in shape and isconfigured to allow passage of the insulation conduit when theinsulation conduit is positioned at an oblique angle relative to theouter wrapper, wherein the insulation conduit is cylindrical in shape.18. The insulated structure of claim 11, wherein the insulation port isdefined by a perimetrical flange that extends perpendicularly from anaperture defined within the outer wrapper, wherein an inner surface ofthe perimetrical flange receives the sealing cap.
 19. The insulatedstructure of claim 18, wherein the perimetrical flange extends away fromthe insulating cavity.
 20. A method for forming an insulated structure,the method comprising steps of: disposing insulation material into aninsulating cavity of the insulated structure via a cylindricalinsulation conduit; gravity feeding the insulation material throughoutthe insulating cavity; disposing a sealing cap into an insulation port;sealing the sealing cap into the insulation port to define a sealedinsulating structure; drawing gas from the insulating cavity through avacuum port defined within the sealing cap; sealing the vacuum port todefine an at least partial vacuum within the insulating cavity; andpositioning a hinge bracket over the sealing cap, wherein the hingebracket at least partially conceals the sealing cap, the vacuum port andthe insulation port.